ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18103, 11 February 1922, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MARIE TEMPEST SEASON.

It will be welcome nows to all lovers of real comedy to know that Miss Marie Tempest, in association with Mr. Graham Browne and a first-grade J. C. Williamson company, will play a season of 13 nights of classic comedy, commencing oil Saturday evening next. The initial attraction will bo "Mr. Pim Passes By," a play which the management describes as of extraordinary possibilties and one which had Sydney and Melbourne on tip-too for months. "Mr. Pim Passes By ' is said to be a delightful piece of stagecraft, having an alluring, intriguing flavour. Tho story unfolds periectly naturally, and has in it a more sorious note than has hitherto been found in Miss Tempest's New Zealand repertoire. Miss Tempest will be seen as "Diana" and Mr. Graham Browne as "Mr. I'im." The latter artist, with his undoubted talent, is already a (inn favourite in Auckland. "Rlr. Pim Passes By" j will bo played for the first five nights, the box plans for which will be opened at Lewis 11. Eady and Son, Ltd., on Tuesday next. QUALITY PERFORMERS. Southwood'a Quality Performers entered on the fourth week of their season in the Town Hail concert chamber last evening, and the now bill of fare proved as popular as its predecessors. Entitled "A Melody of Mirth and Music," the programme comprised a variety of solo and concerted vocal numbers, instrumental pieces, dances, humorous interludes, and sketches, which afforded the company ample opportunities. Warm applause greeted the songs given by Mr. Aneurin Morris, Miss Hazel Fuller, and Miss Rose Fitzgerald, the artistß being insistently encored. ''Roso of My Heart" was rendered by Misses Fuller, Fitzgerald, Messrs. Moms and Harry Webster in fine style. I<eonard Nelson fully maintained his popularity with his budget of humorous songs and stories. Further coinedv was provided by Harry Webster, Del Foster, and Geo. Sharratt. A Chinese cabaret scena was one of the brightest items of the evening, the costumes. songs, and music being effective. "At the Carnival" was another attractive scena which was most warmly received. A burlesque of an old-time minftrel show in four minutes staged by the company appealed to popular fancy. The other sketches also caused outbursts of laughter and applause. The success of the performance was due in no small measure to the work of tho orchestra, tho members of which eairried out their duties in fine style, features being the ractime and jazz numhers. A matinee will be given this aftornoon in addition to a performance this evening.

STRAND THEATRE. Blended in the current week's programme at the Strand Theatre are the usual diverse features, appealing to all shades of taste. This policy of making each section of the entertainment attractive in itself is conducive to extensive patronage. The bill introduced yesterday tor the week'B run contains music of a choice description, drama with a touch of the mystic East, a glimpse of Scotland's Bcenic allurements, and a modicum of diverting humour to lighten the fare. Tho principal film is 'Tarrot and C 0.," or "Not Guilty," from the enthralling novel by Harold McGrath. It is a First National production, in which the spectator is taken from western civilisation to the bizarre environment of Indian scenes The story concerns the lives and loves of two twin brothers, one of whom i& made to suffer for the misdeeds of th* other. Dramatic action speeds the theme to its climax, which is of a surprising and thrilling description. The love interest, which is vary powerful, is sustained by Sylvia Dreamer, the talented young Australian actress, BJid Richard Dix, one of tho favourite "horoes" of the screen. The scenes among the heathen denizenß of the River Ganges region, tho w«ird native rites, the revelation of Indian life and customs, and the contrasting European episodes, including exciting gambling hall incidents and society doings, make tip a story of great fascination. "The Land of Burns" is a distinct gem, scenically, and the comedy, "Nonsense," is immensely entertaining. This Mermaid film introduces remarkable acrobats and wonderfully-trained birds and beasts. Madamo Annette Hayward contributes to tho enjoyment of the audiences by singing Scottish songs_with time artistic' expression, in appropriate stace settings. Tho fine orchestra providts melody throughout each session. TIYOLI THEATRE One of tho strongest casts ever assembled on tho screen appoars in the Paramount film, "At the End of the World, tho chief picture on the programme at the Tivoli Theatre for the current week. Other features of the film are the most unusual role played by the leading lady, Betty Compson, tho beautiful Chinese costumes, the scenery, the ellects, and the absorbing nature of tho theme. Miss Compson is seen as Cherry, tho beautiful daughter of a brokon-down Englishman who runs ft cafe and gambling paJaco in Shanghai. She grows up in the at mosphero of this gay resort, serving as a luro for the establishment, yet taking perfect care of herself, and showing that she possesses fine qualities though they are dormant. Then comes romance, into which break the emotions of men who are rendered desperate by Cherry s charms. The role is a severe test of the actress' emotional powers, but she acquits herself well as she did in her exacting part in "The Miracle Man." The production is rich in Oriental atmosphoro, while the second principal locale of tho story is a lonely lighthouse in fine scenic surroundings." The remaining films uro varied, and the orchestra provides enticing music.

" BIRTH OF NEW ZEALAND." > The complaint is often made by educationalists that New Zealandere, on the average, aro lamentably lacking in a knowledge of their own country. An opportunity for those to whom this applies to make good tho deficiency is afforded by tho presentation at the Town Hall this evening, and throughout next week of the new film, " The Birth of New Zealand." The picture deals in interesting manner with tho oarly days of this country, tho events recorded being based on accurate hiftorical accounts. Commencing with tho landing of Captain Cook from the Endeavour, the incidents take the spectator through many of the phases of tho Maori war, with a glimpse also of the Ota go gold rush. An interesting love story is woven into tho themo. Invitations to view the in : tial screening have been issued to headmasters.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "Almost a Husband" is proving a strong attraction at Everybody's Tlieat.ro, where the qnaint story of olden da.VB in a Bmall village on the Mississipi, was screened for the first t'-me yestorday. The romance of the young Vermont yhnol-teacher and the beautiful daughter of the banker is told in most entertaining fashion, and the action is brisk and animated throughout. In addition to its dramatic thrills there are comedy scenes, pretty girls, amusing old men, and picturesque scenery. Other good films are also shown. GRAND THEATRE. An interesting and varied selection of pictures is being screened at the Grand Theatre this week. " The Dream Cheater" is an absorbing drama, featuring J. Warren Kerrigan, and containing many absorbing incidents. Another film shown 18 "The Valley of Doubts," a tale of the big timber country, in which Arline Pretty is the dainty heroine, and in which there are stirring happenings. An amusing comedy is " Hot Dogs, 1 the cast including Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand.